Target



P. W. BALDWN.

TARGH.

mm MAY 14,192

Feb. 6, 1923.

3 SHEETS SHEET 1.

4 7k EAIJIINVENTOH 4w 2 WM ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1923. 1,444,491.

F. W. BALDWIN.

TARGET.

FILED MAY 14. um. 11 SHEETS saw 2.

WITNESS INVENTOI? zaa/aimm 1, .24, 71. M

AHORNEYS Feb. 6, 1928. 1,414,491,

F. w. BALDWIN.

TARGET.

FILED MAY H. 1921. SHEETS sum a A TTORNE Y8 Patented Feb. 6, 1923.

UNITED STATES FREDERICK W. BALDWIN, 0F BADDECK, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.

TARGET.

Application filed May 14,

To all whom it may come-m:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. Bann- WIN, a subject of the Kin ofGreat Britain,

and a resident of Bad eck, Nova Scotia,

Canada, have invented new and useful Imrovements in Targets whichinvention is ully set forth in the following specification.

The present invention is an improvement in targets particularly for useat sea- I Targets of the displacement type herete fore employed havefrequently been ofsuch size and construction as to retard the-progressof the whole fleet when towed from the fleet anchorage to the firingrange. This involved substantial economic losses of every description;and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a tar etwhich may be towed to the'range, even y the smallest destroyer, withoutslowing up the s eed. of the fleet or involving the expendlture by thedestroyer that-is towing the target of any undue power--and this eventhough the target, or indeed a string of them, may be from fifty to twohundred feet in length. A further object is to provide a target solight, yet strong and rigid, that it may be towed at the normal speed ofthe towing vessel, thus providing gunnery practice at a moving target ofa kind which has heretofore been practically impossible.

Itfrequently is desirable to have target practice while the fleet isremote from land, and when it would be practically out of the questionto have a target of suitable size in tow for such a distance. With thisconsideration in mind, another object of the invention is to provide aconstruction such that targets of varying size say from fifty to twohundred feet in lengt or more, may be expeditiously amembled at sea bythe crew.

With these and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, theimproved invention consists of a base of a truss structure preferablyconstituted by aplurality of tetrahedral units, which constructionaffords great strength and rigidity combined with lightness. This baseis supported on the surface of the water when at rest by a plurality ofsmall boats or pontoons, and supported above the surface of the water1921. Serial No. 469,724.

'stantially T-shape and com osed of two trusses, each built up ifrom t etetrahedral units, and one being arranged at substantially right anglesto the'other, thepoint 1 of intersection of said trussesbeing' near oneend of one of them. r

My invention provides a tar et which is light, but strong and rigid;easi y assembled at sea to any desired size; and so constituted as tosustain an*enor mous amount of gun fire; that is composed of a fewstandard parts that canbe compactly stowed away on board ship u'ntilneeded and then readily assembled by unskilled labor; and which,compared with targets of the same size heretofore used, are cheaper tobuil and repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel connecting orcorner device" by which as many of the tetrahedral units as desired maybe built up in a simple and expeditious manner.

Preferably, for a target of say fifty feet in length I employ a trussbuilt u of tetrahedral units one cell in height, w ereas for largertargets, say up to one hundred feet, there is preferably employed atruss two cells high, and, for a tar et say two hundred feet in length Ipre trum three cells or units high.

The improved target may be assembled and in position for firing in avery short time, inasmuch as the building of the tetrahedral structuresinvolves merely the assemblage of standard lengths of rods with theconnecting pieces. After this is effected, the boats or pontoons, thehydrofoil sets, and the firing objective may be secured to the trussesin any simple and effective manner, after which the target is ready foruse as a stationary objective, when it is supported by the pontoons, oras a moving ob jective, when it is supported by the hydroerably employ aa readily repaired foils, and is capable of being towed at high speedbecause of the minimum resistance offered by the small hydrofoilsurfaces.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, illustrating severail expressions of theinventive idea, and in which- Fig. 1 is a, Si view of a target of smallsize of the fifty-foot type;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, Fig. 3 is a corresponding plan view,and Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Figs. 4:, 5. and 6are respectively a side view, plan .view and end view of a lar or targetemploying trusses. two tetrahe ral cells or units in height, and Fig. 5*is a transverse section on the line 5, 5, Fig. 5; Fig, 7 is end view ofa two hundred ifioot target employing trusses three tetraliedral cells.or units in. height;

Fig. 8 elevation showing the means :ot connectingthe rods constitutingthe tetrahedralwunitsi;

Fig. 9- is a cross sectional view showing themes-us of connecting saidrods with the connecting or corner device;

Fig. 10 an elevational view of one of said connecting oncorner devices;and

E 11 isaperspective view of one of the tetra drali cells or unitsshowing the impcoved connectingor corner device at each pointoflinteresection ofthe rods.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like referencafnumenals indicate likeparts, and particularly to Figs. 1-3 and 8-11, inclusive, L2 indicates alongitudinal truss con stituted by a plurality'df'tetrahedral units suchas illustrated in lg. 11, and 13 indicates a, second. truss built up. ata right angle to the first truss near'one end thereof. The tetrahedralunits of which the trusses are composed are built up of rods of uniformlength and size which are secured together by connecting or cornerpieces 14. As illustrated. in 'Fig. 11, each tetrahedralunit'isjcQmposed of six rods 15, 16, 17, 18, 1-9i and. 20, with cornerpieces, arranged at the intersections. of the rods. Preferably, the

rods are oi steel-tubing, four feet in length by 11)" in diameter, withwalls, and the connecting or cornerpieces are preferably castings madeof duralium or drilled-out steel-castings.

Each corner piece is provided with a plu rfality of projections 21'sothat the tetra hedr'al units'may be extended in any direction. Asclearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10. the rods 145-20, inclusive, arepreferably connected to the corner pieces 14 by means of sleeves 22,each of which passes over :1 projection 21. One end of the rod projectsinto the sleeve until it abuts the end of said projection. Theprojections 21, like the sleeves 22 and the rods, are provided withperforations 21, and pins 23 pass through said perforations which willregister when the parts are assembled as illustrated in Fig. 9. Theparts are fixed in the position illustrated in said figure by anysuitable means 24. This construction permits of the ready andeflicientassemblage of the parts Without the use of any screw-threadedor other complicated connecting parts which might readily get out oforder or be dillicult to manipulate.

The longitudinal truss 12 illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is onetetrahedral unit in height, and the same is true of the transverse truss13. At that end of this longitudinal truss l2 remote from the truss i3is arranged, in the medial fore and aft line of said truss 12, a floator pontoon This pontoon is preferably of the uniform type used onseaplanes. Similar pontoons 26, 27 are carried on the under side of thetruss 13, one being mounted on each side of the medial fore and aft lineof the truss 12. Adjacent the pontoon 25, and suitably secured to thetruss 12 by any desired connection, is a pair of hydrofoil sets 28 and29; and adjacent each of the pontoons 26 and 2-7 is suitably mounted aset of hydrofoils 3t) and 31. For the purpose of stability. thehydrofoil surfaces of these sets are arranged at dihedral angles.

A firing objective 32. for example the usual canvas target, is carriedby the base in any desired manner. As here shown, two masts or supports33 and 34 project upwardly from the trusses 12 and 13. and the firingobjective 32 is carried between them. These masts or supports areprovided with bracing wires 35, 36 and 37.

It will be understood that, when the target is at rest, the same issupported by the pontoons, and when the target is in motion, as when itis being towed. the same will be supported on the hydrofoil sets. Inthis latter condition, the pontoons and the trusses are carried abovethe surface of the water, and accordingly the resistance to the movementof the target will be reduced to a minimum because only the hydrofoilblades will pass through the water. For this reason, a small boat cantow the lifty f0ot target, such as is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,and a destroyer can tow a very large target or a string of moderatesized targets without consuming enough horsepower to materially reduceher speed.

Types of these larger sized targets are illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.wherein is shown a target of say one hundred feet in length, and Fig. 7wherein is shown the con' struction of a target two hundred feet inlength.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6. it will be observed that the longitudinaltruss 12 is in this embodiment of a height of two tetra Ill! lilU

hedraliunits A and'B. The-same is true of the transverse truss l3.vAside from h ncreased size .and .strengthuof thetrusses, theconstruction of the hundred-foot target may be the same, so far asnumber and positioning of the hydrofoil sets and Pontoons and the.firingobjectiveare concerend, as in the fift -foot ty..--

iii Fig. .7 there illustrated the construction for a targetoj .say twofeet in length. In this embodiment the; trusses 12 and 13 are eachthreetetrahedral units high, indicated by the .letters A, Brand E. Inaddition, the h drofoilsets 30.and 31 at each extremity o the truss 13,are preferably duplicated, as indicated at 30'and 311,

andthe pontoons 26and 27 near each extremity of said truss 1 3,arepreferably duplicated, as indicated at 2.6 and 27'.

It will be observed that the present invention obviates the neces it theemploymet 1t, of the oldfdisplacement 't pe of target which wasdifiiculttotow and which consumed f enormous horsepower "at presentspeeds which is some hing over. thirty vkn per hour; -and that, bytheus'e ofthe present mventipn, targets of any desiredsize may bereadily and simply assembled and towed with the minimum expenditure ofhorsepower. The advantage is' emphasized that. by the use of'the resentinvention, a tar et is f providedf whit can be nioved rapidly throughthe'waterat su'bstanitally the normal speed of the towingcraft, and thatthese targets may'be' built up tesubstantially the length of a warvessel of the dreadnought type and towedfat substantiall the normalspeed of said vessel, thus alfor ing gunnery practice ofa kind which hasheretofore been ractically jimpossiblel' When, added to his, itii s somein 'mind that the target is built of standard parts that can be readilyand expeditiously assembled toconstruct a target of any desired size,that its assemblage and repair may be-made at sea, that the tetrahedraltrusses will stand an enormous amount of gun fire without destructionand that the target, by reason of its knockdown character, may bedisassembled and compactly stowed away aboard ship until the needarises, it will be appreciated that the present invention is a mostelfective, ad dition to naval training. Further, the provision of aT-shaped base constituted by two trusses built up of tetrahedral units,which trusses connect the pontoons and hydrofoil sets, alfords aconstruction which embodies to the maximum degree the characteristics oflightness, stren th, rigidity and stability.

If desired, the Fore and aft truss may be provided with a cloth-coveringwhich could be laced on the sections in order to reduce the airresistance of the various members of the truss.

It will be understood that in the larger targets, as of theone hundredfoot type, the firing objective may be secured directly to the base. ortetrahedral structure, thus avoidin he necessityfof vertical masts.

eral embodiments of the inventive idea have been herein shown anddescribed in detail, it is to be understoodthat the invention is notlimitedtothese structures but that the inventive ideav is susceptible ofvarious mechanical exressions within the limits of the ap ended aims.

hat is claimed is 1. In a target, the combination of a. base or supportconstituted by a, series of connected tetrahedral units, a plurality ,offloat structures. carried thereby for supOrting said base or supportwhen at rest, ap urality of hydrofoil sets for supporting said base orsupport when the target is inmotion, and a firing objective carriedabove said base or support. v

2. In atarget, the combination of a base or support constituted by aplurality of connectedptetrahedral units, a plurality ,of hydrofoil setssecured to the under side of said base. or support and supporting. thesame when the target is in motion, means secured to said base or support'for supporting the samewhen at ,rest, and a 'fi'ring objeetive carriedabove said base or support.

3. In', a target, the combination 0 abase or support constituted by aplurality of connectedtetrahedral units, a plurality'of float memberssecuredtosaid baseor support and supporting the same when'the target 'isat rest, means secured to said base or support for supporting thesamewhen the target is in motion, and a firing objective carried above saidbase or support.

4:. In a target, the combination of a base or support constituted by aplurality of connected tetrahedral units arranged in two series one atright angles and rigidly connected to the other, a hydrofoil set carriednear one extremity of one series and near each extremity of the otherseries to support the target when in motion, and a firing objectivecarried by said base or so port.

5. In a target, the com blnation of a base or support constituted by aplurality of connected tetrahedral units arranged in two series one atright angles to the other, a hydrofoil set carried near one'extremity ofone series and near each extremity of the other series to support thetarget when in motion, said hydrofoil sets being arranged at dihedralangles, means secured to said base or support for supporting the samewhen at rest, and a firing objective carried by said base or support.

6. In a target, the combination of a base or support constituted by aplurality of connected tetrahedral units one above the other. a firingobjective arranged above said base,

t %Vhile,;for the purpose of clearness, sevmeans secured to said base orsupport for supporting th same 'Whenthe target is at rest, and aplurality of hydrofoil sets connected to the under side of said base andsupporting the same when the target is in motion.

7. 'In a knock-down target, the combination of a truss constituted bytetrahedral units made up of 'rods of uniform length connected by cornerpieces, -'hyd'rofoil* sets connected "by said truss and suppo the samewhen the target is in m'dt'ion, means secured to said truss forsupporting *the same when at rest, and '2. "firing objective carried bysaid '-truss.

8. In combination, a target comprising a phirality of hydro'foilsetsmtruss connecting said "hydrofoil sets, means secured to said truss forsupporting the same when at rest, and a firing obj'eotive carried bysaid truss, said elements being adapted for ready as semblage anddisassemblage. I

9. Iri'combi-nation, a knockdown target 00 isi'ng a plurality ofontoonsand h d'rofdil trusses-connecting said 'pontoons and hydrofoil sets, anda firing objective carried by said trusses, saidelements being ads tedfor ready assemblage and disasseni 'lage.

'10. In a'target, the combination ofa longitudinal trus's, -a hydrofoilset mounted in the m edial' fore'and'zi ft line thereof, a second trussarranged at substantially :right angles to said first truss, and rigidlyconnected thereto, a pair of hydrofoil sets carried by said secon trus'sand arranged one on each side of the medial fore and aft line of saidtarget, said hydrofoil sets extending downwardly and ou'twardl from thetruss structure, and a firing ob ective carried by said trusses.

1'1 Tn-a'target, the combination of a longitudinal-truss,-a pontoonmounted in the medial fore and aft line thereof, a second truss arrangedat substantiallyright angles to said first truss, a pair of pontoonscarried by said second truss and arranged one on each side of the medialfore and aft line of said target, hydrofoil sets arranged at dihedralangles, and a firing objective carried by said trusses.

12. In a target, the combination of a longitudinal truss, a pontoon anda hydrofoil set mounted inthe medial: fore andaft'line thereof, a secondtruss arranged at substantially right angles to said first truss, a pairof pontoons and hydrofoil sets carried by said second truss and arrangedone on each side of the medial fore and aft line of said target, saidhydrofoil sets extending downwardly and outwardly from the truss structure, and a firing objective carried by said trusses.

13. In a target, the combination of a T- shaped truss constituted byconnected tetra hedralcells or units, a set of hydrofoils carried bysaid truss near each extremity of the same andsupporting said targetwhen in motion means carried by said truss to support the same when atrest, and a firing-objective carried by said trum.

-14. In a target, the combination of a T- shaped truss constituted byconnected "tetrahedral-cellsor units, a pontoon carried by said trussnear each, extremity of the same and' supporting-said target when atrest, and a firing objective carried by said truss.

15. In a target, the combination of a T- shaped'truss constituted byconnected-tetra hedral cells or units, a set of hydrofoilscarriedby'said truss near each extremity of the same and supporting said targetwhen in motion, and a pontoon carried by said truss near each set ofhydrofoils and supporting said target when at rest.

16. In atarget,'the combination of-a skeleton base or support, aplurality offioat structures carried thereby for supporting said base orsupport when at rest, a plurality of hydrofoil sets for supporting saidbase or support when the target is in motion, and a firing objectivecarried "by said base or support.

17. In a target, the combination of a truss constituted by units made upof rods of unitor-m length connected by corner pieces, by-

drofoil sets connectedby said truss and supporting-the same when thetarget is in motion, means attached'to said'truss to support the samewhen at rest, and a firing objective carried by said truss, saidelements 'being detachably connected'to form a knock-down structure.

18. In a target adapted to be-towed at high speed through the water, thecombination of a base or support constituted by a longitudinal truss, asecond truss arranged at substantially right angles to said first'truss,pontoons secured to the under side of each of said trusses adjacent theopposite extremities thereofi, hydrofoil sets secured to said baseadjacent said ontoons, and a firing objective mounted on said base.

19. In a target adapted to be towed at high speedrthrough the water, thecombination of a base or support constituted by a longitudinal trussformed of tetrahedral cells or units, a second truss formed oftetrahedral cells or units arranged substantially at right angles tosaid first truss, a plurality of float members secured to said baseto-support the same when at rest, a plurality of hydrofoil sets securedto said base to support the same in motion, and a firing objectivemounted on said base.

20. In combination, a knock-down target adapted to be towed at highspeed through the water comprising a truss Structure formed oftetrahedral units, a plurality of hydrofoil sets secured to said trussstructure and supporting the same when the taris in motion, floatmembers secured to said structure adjacent said hydrofoil sets, and afiring objective carried by said structure.

21. In a knock-down target adapted to be 7 towed at high speed throughthe water, the

combination of a. truss-constituted by units made up of rods of uniformlength connected by corner pieces, hydrofoil sets secured 10 to saidtrus adjacent the extremities thereof, pontoons secured to the trussadjacent said hydrofoil sets, and a firing objective carried by saidtruss.

In testimony whereof I have signed this 15

